The beer can makes a comeback

Widespread use of cans for small brewers (2010s): Offering a new distribution alternative and more a more elaborate design for brewers like Houston's Karbach.

Widespread use of cans for small brewers (2010s): Offering a new distribution alternative and more a more elaborate design for brewers like Houston's Karbach.

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The topless beer can (2013): Developed by niche brewer Sly Fox, this beer opens like a soup can.

The topless beer can (2013): Developed by niche brewer Sly Fox, this beer opens like a soup can.

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Creative can designs (various): Like this beer can, which on its own looks like a small factory, but when paired with one of its six-pack buddies looks like a woman in garters.

Creative can designs (various): Like this beer can, which on its own looks like a small factory, but when paired with one of its six-pack buddies looks like a woman in garters.

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Two-stage cold activation (2011): We're not exactly sure what it is, but Coors seems awful proud of it and it sounds cool.

Two-stage cold activation (2011): We're not exactly sure what it is, but Coors seems awful proud of it and it sounds cool.

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Beer-butt chicken (date unknown): One of the best ways to cook a moist bird on the barbecue pit.

Beer-butt chicken (date unknown): One of the best ways to cook a moist bird on the barbecue pit.

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Wide-mouth can (1990s): More beer faster; no complaints here.

Wide-mouth can (1990s): More beer faster; no complaints here.

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Budweiser's Bowtie can (2013): Breaking up the cylindrical monotony of beer cans while improving grip.

Budweiser's Bowtie can (2013): Breaking up the cylindrical monotony of beer cans while improving grip.

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The Koozie (1979): Keeping beer cold and hands condensation-free.

The Koozie (1979): Keeping beer cold and hands condensation-free.

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The death of the pull tab (1975): Reduced unnecessary litter when replaced with the current stay-tab, starting in 1975.

The death of the pull tab (1975): Reduced unnecessary litter when replaced with the current stay-tab, starting in 1975.

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Punch-top can (2012): Perhaps more gimmick than practical, but there is science behind the idea of a better pour when oxygen is allowed into the can as beer comes out.

Punch-top can (2012): Perhaps more gimmick than practical, but there is science behind the idea of a better pour when oxygen is allowed into the can as beer comes out.

Photo: PR NEWSWIRE

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Houston's beer can house (1968): Still open to the public for tours.

Houston's beer can house (1968): Still open to the public for tours.

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Idiots stopped "sinking their empties" in our rivers (TBD): OK, this one hasn't happened yet, but we can't wait until it does.

Idiots stopped "sinking their empties" in our rivers (TBD): OK, this one hasn't happened yet, but we can't wait until it does.

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The beer can makes a comeback

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The beer can is back.

The much-maligned runt of the beer container litter is undergoing a Renaissance, reports Ad Age, thanks to creative new packaging designs, inner liners that reduce the “aluminum taste” and, most importantly a new market in smaller boutique breweries who previously only bottled.

According to Ad Age, 97 percent of the nation’s 2,400 breweries could be classified as mom-and-pops (or, mom-and-pop-a-tops, if you like bad puns).

“Craft brewers are grassroots, and their sense of storytelling is: one can, one bottle, one keg at a time,” Julia Herz, craft-beer program director at the Brewers Association, told Ad Age. “There’s more room on the actual can to put their story. … The more they can talk about their personality, the better.”

Cans also offer a potentially longer shelf-life for craft beers, as it protects them from beer-hating natural elements light and air.